Michael Conley, Arkansas: Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame, Class of 2023

Michael Conley, nearly 40 years after his reign, is still regarded as one of the most-dominant jumpers in history. Throughout his collegiate career, Conley amassed a total of 62 points at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships, making him the highest-scoring male field eventer in the history of the competition.

Conley’s journey to greatness began when he won his first NCAA title as a sophomore in 1983, taking home the indoor triple jump championship. His success continued into his junior and senior years, where he added eight more titles in a remarkable fashion.

In 1984, Conley made history by becoming the first athlete to sweep all four available single-year horizontal jump titles in the NCAA. He managed to replicate this incredible double-double feat in 1985 while also showcasing his prowess on the track, finishing as the runner-up in the 200 meters and contributing to the Razorbacks’ sixth-place finish in the 4×100 relay.

Conley’s outstanding performances played a significant role in Arkansas’ indoor (20 points) and outdoor (28.75 points) team championships in 1985, as the Razorbacks achieved the first-ever collegiate triple crown, which also included a cross-country victory from the previous fall.

During his collegiate years, Conley earned medals at the inaugural World Championships in 1983, where he won bronze in the long jump, and at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, where he took silver in the triple jump. These achievements cemented Conley’s reputation as a formidable international competitor in both events that spanned far into the next decade.